Electronic board game creator

ABSTRACT

This invention fills the gap between traditional board games played on cardboard with pawns, playing cards, and dice and electronic game consoles and PC games. The invention introduces the possibility to create a board game on the fly with the invention of underlying systems and methods and hard and software. With a contactless communication unit (CCU) at the heart of the system, it allows players to play board games on cardboard, stationery, touch screen device on the go (mobile), or online with users across the globe or at least one virtual player (software).

PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/360,099 filed on Jun. 30, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by references.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright or mask work protection. The copyright or mask work owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright or mask work rights whatsoever.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Although board games have a long history over the centuries, more and more users have recently been attracted to consoles and computer games as a result of their interactivity and endless variants.

In order to enhance the playing features, many board games have been equipped with electronic elements. Some of them use digital display technology as well as sound and/or light effects. Electronic dice are common in recent games as well as board games containing RFID technologies for identifying tokens or players or playing cards or other items. The virtual world offers plenty of board game simulations for PC game consoles and online gaming. Some are labeled as Casino Games, which perform electronic roulette or other board games for gambling purposes.

Social networks and online games allow users to play with others over a distance, which is a feature traditional board games cannot afford. Chess players have used traditional mail in the past. Also, board games cannot compete with the effects that console or PC games provide. The task of interfacing existing board games with PCs in order to maintain the physical look and experience while incorporating the electronic possibilities presents a challenge. Virtual software board games exist, but the physical presence to bring the same or more fun as traditional board games to players is missing. This invention will demonstrate ways to make board games more interesting and more enjoyable while communicating over networks.

The special board game creator system (BGC) will demonstrate that it is possible to create electronic board games that can compete with electronic games in a very short time and allow users to play them immediately after defining them by using the inventions of hard and software.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. shows the principle of the hardware. A microcontroller can contain an optionally attached game LCD/OLED display with text or graphical features. It also contains interface(s) to networks or other devices (serial wire or wireless communication preferred). The microcontroller has access to internal or external memory, which can be written or overwritten from external sources. Electrodes can send or receive alternating electric fields and can couple direct or contactless signals into other electrodes that are attached to game boards or other devices.

FIG. 2. shows that the game board invention has a printed electronic surface (under the game picture scenario hidden or visible) that contains spaces and fields to which players can attach pawns, cards, or other items. The printed electronic surface contains printed electrodes, lines, printed capacitors, or resistors by using conductive or resistive ink. Some of these electrodes are used for contiguity with a contactless communication unit (CCU), which is placed direct over these electrodes on the board game picture. An electric field generated by CCU influences the game board over these electrodes. Pawn movements create a voltage divider; therefore, it is possible to determine the pawns' current and initial position.

FIG. 3. The game story, sounds, lights, graphics, or other effects can be added and flashed together into the memory of the invention's contactless communication unit (CCU). This unit identifies player, pawns, tokens, spaces on the playfield, and mechanical or electronic dice rolls while playing. The CCU will be placed on the cardboard with no direct electronic contact, but it can also be utilized through using a touch screen display on the device. A preferred wireless connection allows players to send or receive data over networks to PCs or other devices or game consoles. The CCU can also send and receive signals from other players or users

FIG. 4. The alternating electric field with a certain level and frequency can be detected, rectified, and stored as DC by the pawns in a buffer (e.g., a capacitor, gold cap, or accumulator) to a drive built electronically in the pawn, which can be used for signalization purposes using light or sound (LED, piezo, etc.) or through sending signals back into the system. This can be done by using and modulating alternating electric fields or through other means, preferably wireless signals, such as light, sound, electric, or electromagnetic signals. As the energy of the pawn is drawn from the system, it can also be measured and used as a trigger signal for function and effects.

THE INVENTION'S UNDERLYING SOLUTION

Graphical software allows game creators to make board game playfields or play sets 2D or 3D on a computer screen. Spaces can be arranged by mouse click. The game story, sounds, lights, graphics, or other effects can be added and flashed together into the memory of the invention's contactless communication unit (CCU). This unit identifies player, pawns, tokens, spaces on the playfield, and mechanical or electronic dice rolls while playing. The CCU will be placed on the cardboard with no direct electronic contact, but it can also be utilized through using a touch screen display on the device. A preferred wireless connection allows players to send or receive data over networks to PCs or other devices or game consoles. The CCU can also send and receive signals from other players or users (FIG. 3).

A First Invention'S Underlying Relation to Cardboard for Board Games

The game board invention has a printed electronic surface (under the game picture scenario) that contains spaces and fields to which players can attach pawns, cards, or other items. The printed electronic surface contains printed electrodes, lines, printed capacitors, or resistors by using conductive or resistive ink. FIG. 2 demonstrates this principle. Some of these electrodes are used for contiguity with a contactless communication unit (CCU), which is placed direct over these electrodes on the board game picture. An electric field generated by CCU influences the game board over these electrodes. Pawn movements create a voltage divider; therefore, it is possible to determine the pawns' current and initial position.

Player identification is possible in this system, considering that player's body absorbs or bridges the electric field, so once he decides to move a pawn, his arm enters the board game from his allocated corner.

The alternating electric field with a certain level and frequency can be detected, rectified, and stored by the pawns in a buffer (e.g., a capacitor, gold cap, or accumulator) to a drive built electronically in the pawn, which can be used for signalization purposes using light or sound (LED , piezo, etc.) or through sending signals back into the system. This can be done by using and modulating alternating electric fields or through other means, preferably wireless signals, such as light, sound, electric, or electromagnetic signals. As the energy of the pawn is drawn from the system, it can also be measured and used as a trigger signal for function and effects (FIG. 4).

The Board Game Creator (BGC) Software

Designers can create board/mobile/online games simultaneously on the fly using computer (PC) software. The board game image can be uploaded into the software. Pawn positions can be designed easily with a mouse click on the target places on the uploaded board game image. These positions and other values (e.g., size of the board, shape) will be saved on a table. From this table, the layer sheet can be printed with conductive ink. The designer also decides the position for the CCU to sit on the game board. He or she can also upload any kind of image or text or graphic or video sequences. After the design is done, the designer creates the game story and functions that are triggered if a certain pawn is placed on a certain space. A function table will be created using these functions. The designer's work will be stored in a script file which can be flashed into the CCU of the invention and then to game play. The invention's underlying firmware automatically calculates the space positions in the touch screen display.

Appendix A gives a closed description of the complete invention.

Virtual Player

Board games are mostly designed to be multiplayer games. This invention allows the so-called virtual player to allow for more players to compete with each other. Virtual players can be implemented as software in CCU firmware or somewhere in the network or in PCs or game consoles. As any board game can be displayed in an invention underlying language (special mnemonic), a virtual player can perform the same effects or moves that a real player can.

Electronic Dice

The invention introduces ways of creating random events in board games. Dice can be simulated electronically or as a real device containing an electronic unit that tells the CCU what number was rolled. A traditional card deck can be used, but it is also possible to have such cards stored in the CCU, which can be shown on the electronic screens or displays. The invention allows players to use TV screens as a display device as well.

Player Contactless Communication Unit (CCU)

CCU can provide signals to each player so each player is equipped with the means to receive and send signals from and to the CCU. Signals invoke functions related to the game play. Feedback can be given to a group or to all players using sound, voice, or optical or electromechanical effects like vibrations.

The First Invention with an Underlying Hardware Solution

A microcontroller can contain an optionally attached game LCD/OLED display with text or graphical features. It also contains interface(s) to networks or other devices (serial wire or wireless communication preferred). The microcontroller has access to internal or external memory, which can be written or overwritten from external sources. Electrodes can send or receive alternating electric fields and can couple direct or contactless signals into other electrodes that are attached to game boards or other devices. FIG. 1 shows the principle of the hardware.

Pictures of the board game and images (sprits, etc.) of the pawns can be also shown on the invention's CCU display, where the play situation, rules, and game story is stored in the memory.

Mobile CCU

A person/player can remove the electronic CCU device from the game board and play a new or continue a game. CCU can contain the display or a touch screen or keys and joysticks. Control sequences and game results can also be transmitted into networks or game consoles so that the player can play online through a PC or console games related to the original board game (or other games of any kind as well).

The results are stored on CCU in real time. So, after placing the CCU back on the game board, the player can continue playing with the CCU support. The CCU can also contain hard and software for sound effects, voice in or output (voice recognition) sound melodies, or optical or other effects to entertain other players.

The Invention's Air Slider

An alternating electric field can be applied either from the CCU or other sources into a resistive material, which can be printed on plastic or paper or other material. Electrodes on the edges of this material detect the alternating electric field and transmit it back to detector/analyzer. If a user's hand or other items come in contact with such resistive material, the electric field is absorbed through the user's body, depending on which electrode the user is closer to. The resistive material creates a kind of voltage/level or filter or phase shifting that can be detected and used to determine the position of the player's hand or items (over such an area). The ratio between the electrodes detected levels or phases determines the x position, while the sum represents the z.

A 3D dimensional slide is possible with this invention. Placing such resistive or conductive line on the rims of the cardboard can detect the side that a player is approaching on the board.

The Board Game Creators' Script Language

Simple mnemonics are used to interpret a board game's story or game play. Primarily, this script is written with electronic devices, but it is also understandable for the designer and can specially be converted into a board game guide or board game presentation. During the board game creation process, the designer uses this script to bring the story into the board game and related materials. 

1. Systems and methods for creating or playing interactive electronic-supported board games
 2. A contactless communication unit (CCU) that stores and provides content or controls movements of players or pawns, dice, or other items.
 3. Software for creating board/handheld/PC or online games at the same time
 4. Systems or methods to store scripts or content created into a CCU according to claim 2
 5. A surface containing conductive or resistive flat material like printable paint, ink, or wires to be attached visibly or invisibly on the board game cardboard.
 6. A detector according to claims 1 and 2 that can identify players, dice, pawns, playing cards, or other items used in a board game or play set.
 7. According to claim 1, a contactless positioning system that works three-dimensionally over a printed circuit (in the board, playset, etc.) or contactless communication unit (CCU) according to claim 2 or other items where the invention or a part of invention is attached.
 8. A generator for at least one alternating electric field, which can be spread out over the air, over at least one player's skin (dermis), or over a game board or a play set.
 9. Electronic according to claim 1 for harvesting energy out of forced media such as electric, magnetic or electromagnetic field, light, sound, or vibration.
 10. Integration as a circuit on silicon or printed on polymer on or into a pawn or a dice or playing card or other items.
 11. Electronic circuit powered by a harvester according to claim 1 for various functions signaling or positioning purposes.
 12. Simulation software for playing created or stored board game or play set scripts or functions according to claim 1 on screen.
 13. According to claim 11, simulation by using the means from claim 1 or
 2. 14. A gamepad for playing simulated or real board games or reaction through the use of the device (CCU) on other content.
 15. An electronic player equipped with a player unit according to claim 1 for informing one player about play, game situations, or other relevant information.
 16. An electronic player unit according to claim 14, which can send back commands or vital signs from at least one player into the CCU, according to claim 2 or into networks or other devices.
 17. System or methods for generating random numbers or events according to claims 1 and
 2. 18. Devices used in a board game or play set that contain the invention related to technology, harvester, or electronics powered by such harvester (e.g., pawns, dice, playing cards, action figures, game or other accessories, and feedback devices).
 19. According to claim 2, an additional display on the CCU or means to interact with the CCU from at least one player using keys, touch, multi-touch, gesture, or other vital signs from at least one user.
 20. Software that generates presentations or user guides out of the invention related to data like play scripts or function tables. The results can be in the form of text, pictures, graphical sequences, videos, movie sequences, sound, light, or other effects.
 21. A wireless communication system between CCU, networks, other toys or games, or other devices.
 22. Software that can create or print a game play-relevant structure on a surface including coupling electrodes for electric fiends (alternating) or for gesture commands from at least one player and lines that can be conductive or resistive between electrodes or spaces, printed capacitors or resistors using at least one layer of the surface. The printout of this software is related to designer's input using the invention underlying systems and methods according to claim 3 or scripts or function tables.
 23. A mnemonic or reacted script language that is visible by humans as well as hard or software, containing statements or game play-related function codes.
 24. Means to use or interpret the mnemonic scripts or function tables either from the CCU according to claim 2 or other devices, networks, or external sources.
 25. So-called virtual player software that can support real player as a partner or opponent with access to the game and play-related scripts or functions.
 26. An interactive printed board game or play set where at least one CCU according to claim 2 is placed nearby where players can play interactive board games by using or moving pawns, dice, event cards, accessories, or other items on or near the game board that are attached with the inventions systems, and methods according to claim
 1. 27. Means to store player data for internal or external use. Such data can also be integrated in the invention-related scripts, function, or other tables to alter or react depending on player's skills or play levels or other situation-relevant events. 